FROM STAFF REPORTS
Shelby County’s leading students and educators for the 2020-2021 school year will be recognized on Wednesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. in the Virtual Student and Educator of the Year program.
Shelby County Chamber’s eighth student and educator of the year is presented by America’s premier federal credit union. The program is co-sponsored by Vulcan Materials and the University of Montevallo.
Shelby County schools have been invited to nominate an âAcademic Leaderâ and âStandout Careerâ Student of the Year to represent their school. All applicants were assessed on the basis of the following criteria: GPA, extracurricular activities and awards, a written response (essay) on their career plan or study program, and letters of recommendation. Each student was invited to attend a 15-minute interview with a panel of three judges.
Nominees for the Educator of the Year were nominated in three categories – primary, middle and secondary – by their school principals. Three judges rated them based on their teaching philosophy, community involvement, and recommendations from colleagues and school administrators, including a brief video where many showcased their exceptional classrooms.
All applicants will be recognized during the program and will receive a tour of their school and a courtyard sign celebrating their appointment. “As our more than 1,180 investor organizations are the future employers of these students, we believe this is an important step in recognizing the excellence that occurs every day in our Shelby County classrooms.” , said House Chief Executive Officer Kirk Mancer.
The program will end with the announcement of eight recipients – two âCareer Pathway Standoutâ students, two âAcademic Leader Standoutâ students, one âFuture Leaderâ student, one âElementary School Educator of the Yearâ, one âMiddle School Educatorâ. of the year âand aâ Secondary teacher of the year â. The five recipient students will receive a cash scholarship of $ 1,000 and the three education recipients will receive a cash scholarship of $ 750.
“The five recipient students will receive these funds to further their education and career development, and the three teachers will receive their awards to use in their classrooms at their discretion,” said Pari Barzegari, director of community and career development at bedroom.
To register for the virtual program, send an email to [email protected]
The 2020-2021 nominees are listed below alphabetically by school in each category:
Academic Leader Standout – Candidates for students of the year:
Mason Mathias, Briarwood Christian School
Ashlyn Faith Jones, Calera High School
Emma Wolfe, Chelsea High School
Sydney Aldrich, Helena High School
Janie Gray, Montevallo secondary school
Peter Anthony Anella, III, Oak Mountain High School
Shaun O’Neil, Pelham High School
Ella Russell, Shelby County High School
Nathanael “Payton” Burch, Shelby County Career Technical Education Center
Emaline Morris, Thompson High School
Toni M. Lee, Vincent Middle High School
Career Pathway Standout – Student of the Year Candidates:
Anna Gardner Herren, Briarwood Christian School
Callie Weathers, Calera High School
Bryndie Hunsaker, Chelsea High School
Alex Franklin, Helena High School
Migdalia Lopez-Jimenez, high school in Montevallo
John Berik Blanton, Oak Mountain High School
Yahir Ayala Aguirre, Pelham High School
Blake Robinson, Shelby County High School
Erik Barajas Shelby County Career and Technical Education Center
Harris Mitchell, Thompson High School
Kayla Maxwell, Vincent Middle High School
Candidates for primary school teachers:
Kristi Brooks, Calera Elementary School
Sara Patrick, Calera Middle School
Keaghan Hinson, Chelsea Park Elementary School
Sarah Kendrick, Creek View Elementary School
Shanna Petty, Elvin Hill Elementary School
Mari Newton, Forest Oaks Elementary School
Patrick Riley, Helena Elementary School
Kaitlin McGuirk, Helena Middle School
Julie “Mauri” Crisler, Inverness Primary School
Connie Kakoliris, Meadow View Elementary School
Kamie Jones, Montevallo primary school
Heather Braswell, Mt. Laurel Elementary School
Melanie Fitzmorris, Oak Mountain Elementary School
Kim Ethridge, Oak Mountain Middle School
Mary Beacham, Pelham Oaks Elementary School
Lucy Cournoyer, Pelham Ridge Elementary School
Kaleigh Lamar, Shelby Elementary School
Alexis Bulger, Thompson Middle School
Ginger Forsythe, Vincent Elementary School
Tiffany Collins, Wilsonville Elementary School
Candidates for college educators:
Nina Frazier, Calera College
Michelle Nivens, Chelsea Middle School
Brad McClaran, Columbiana Middle School
Chad Sorrells, Helena College
Staci Egan, Linda Nolen Learning School
Matthew Williams, Montevallo Middle School
Carla Higginbotham, Oak Mountain Middle School
Jessica Lynn Brown, Pelham Park Middle School
Karen Evans, Thompson Middle School
Tamara Carter, Vincent College
Candidates for secondary school teachers:
Tamika Whitt-Wright, Calera High School,
Walter “Ryan” Adams, Chelsea High School
Anita Lewis, Helena High School
Jessica Gothard, Montevallo high school
Danny DuBose, Oak Mountain High School
Jessica Swann, Pelham High School
Celia Dozier, Shelby County Career Technical Education Center
Marisol “Soli” Lilly, Shelby County High School
Douglas Crabb, Thompson High School
Sgt. Major Mary Kyser, Vincent High School